outsmart

verb

out·​smart ˌau̇t-ˈsmärt 

outsmarted; outsmarting; outsmarts

transitive verb

: to get the better of

especially : outwit

Synonyms

• outwit
• thwart
• outmaneuver
• deceive
• defeat
• overcome
• outfox
• fool
• outthink

Examples of outsmart in a Sentence

The government must gather large amounts of information in order to outsmart its enemies.

an inexpensive security system that would likely be outsmarted by anyone with a serious interest in circumventing it

Recent Examples on the Web

Preston Fore Economy Top economist who previously sounded the alarm on tariffs sees a possible scenario where Trump 'outsmarted all of us' Jason Ma Leadership Modelo Especial soared to be the #1 beer in America. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 21 June 2025

Their only chance at survival lies in outsmarting a devastating new enemy: the German flamethrower incinerating everything in its path. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 May 2025

When the organization behind the heist sniffs him out, he's got to outsmart them. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 6 May 2025

This led to residents trying to outsmart the clever birds by putting weights on the lids to prevent the cockatoos from digging through the trash. —New Atlas, 4 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outsmart

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart

Kids Definition

outsmart

verb

out·​smart (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsmärt 

: outwit